IRS free file is 'gone' according to agency leader

The IRS's free Direct File program — a new initiative that allowed taxpayers to complete their taxes using free, guided tax software approved by the federal agency — is no more, following a push by the Trump administration to axe the service as part of his One Big Beautiful Bill.

The move, which was speculated to happen following the bill's passing, was seemingly confirmed earlier this week, after IRS Commissioner Billy Long told attendees of the National Association of Enrolled Agents Tax Summit that the program was "gone."

Long provided that the agency's new focus is modernized "audit tech," saying: "You’ve heard of Direct File, that’s gone. Big beautiful Billy wiped that out. I don’t care about Direct File. I care about direct audit.” According to an internal IRS report, more than 300,000 Americans used the service in 2025.

The agency's Free File prep service was launched for the 2025 tax season after a pilot period in 2024, galvanized by pressure from political leaders and advocates. Following Long's comments, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and others accused the Trump administration of siding with large tax preparation companies, such as H&R Block and TurboTax owner Intuit, capitulating to their tax interests over Americans. "Direct File was an easy way for Americans to file their taxes for FREE each year. It's a no-brainer — and it's popular. So why in the world did the Trump administration kill it? To give a huge handout to giant tax prep companies like TurboTax that rip Americans off," she wrote in a July 29 post on X.

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The IRS has not yet confirmed the end of Free File, but did allude to potential private partnerships that would replace the prep service. "Commissioner Billy Long is committed to modernizing the IRS and providing a taxpayer experience that meets today’s expectations, which includes giving taxpayers transparency into the status of their tax returns and audits," an IRS spokesperson told CNBC. "We look forward to Treasury’s forthcoming report to Congress on the Direct File program and on potential public-private partnership alternatives to Direct File, as required by the One Big Beautiful Bill."